Fuel control system for pilots and main burners



A. RAY

I 5111511. CONTROL SYSIEI FOR PILOTS AND um guiinms Filed Nov; 18, 1946' 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 7 mtlm llllll lll I! N 4 M\m I m 9 L5 4 w 5 a B 6 6 M x v .5

INVENTOR,

Sept, 5, 1950 FUEL commas-rm FOR PILOTS mum BURNERSH Filed Nov. 18, 1946 I -z i s v NvEN-roq W/Y/b A. Q

'ATO NEY Patented Sept. 5, 1950 FUEL CONTROL SYSTEM FOR PILOTS AND MAIN BURNERS William A. Bay, North Hollywood, Calif., assignor to General Controls 00., a corporation of California Application November 18, 1946, Serial No. 710,567

17 Claims.

This invention relates to a control system for fluid fuels; more particularly, it relates to a valve controlling the fuel supply to the pilot burner and the main burner in such a system.

It is known to provide a heating system including a main burner, a normally burning pilot burner and electrically operated valves for respectively controlling the fuel supply to the burners. Both of these valves are arranged to close upon pilot flame failure, optionally operable means being provided to pass fuel to the pilot burner to permit re-establishment of the pilot flame and thus restore the system to operative condition.

It is an object of this invention to provide such a system wherein opening of the main valve is prevented as long as the optionally operable means is passing fuel to the pilot burner.

It is another object of this invention to provide an electrically operated valve for the pilot burner, incorporating optionally operable means for by-passing the valve.

It is another object of this invention to provide an electrically operated valve arranged to open a circuit when the valve is closed, and including an optionally operable by-pass, said circuit being maintained open as long as the bypass is effective.

It is still another object of this invention to make it possible, by the aid of electrical control circuits, to ensure that pilot flame failure will shut off all flow of fuel, through the pilot burner as well as the main burner.

In order to re-ignite the pilot burner, the bypass for the pilot burner valve is arranged in such manner that, upon opening the by-pass, it is ensured that the main burner valve is closed. It is accordingly still another object of this invention to provide a pilot fuel by-pass ensuring, by electrically operated circuits, that the main burner valve is closed during the resulting operation.

This invention possesses many other advantages, and has other objects which may be made more clearly apparent from a consideration of several embodiments of the invention. For this purpose there are shown a few forms in the drawings accompanying and forming part of the present specification. The forms will now be described in detail illustrating the general principles of the invention; but it is to be understood that this detailed description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, since the scope of this in- In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a diagram of a fuel control system incorporating the features of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a transverse section of the pilot burner valve of Fig. 1, taken as indicated by lines 2-2 of Fig. 3;

Figs. 3 and 4 are sections, taken as indicated by correspondingly numbered lines of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a detail section, taken as indicated by lines 5-5 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 is a transverse section of a modified form of valve, taken as indicated by line 8-6 of Fig. 7;

Fig. 7 is a vertical section, taken as indicated by line l-! of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary section, taken as indicated by lines 8-8 of Fig. 7; and

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary section, taken as indicated by lines 9-9 of Fig. 6.

Referring to Fig. 1, the system is shown as including a main burner I connected with suitable source of gaseous fuel supply (not shown) by a conduit 2 in which is interposed the main valve 3 for controlling the fuel flow to the burner I. This valve 3 may be of any preferred type suitable for operation by the current from a thermoelectric generator, for example, such as disclosed in Patent No. 2,294,693, issued to William A. Ray on September 1, 1942. A pilot burner 4 is supplied with fuel by a conduit 5, which may be connected with the conduit 2 ahead of the main valve 3, so as to be unaffected by the operation of this valve 3, a valve structure 6, including an electrically operated pilot burner valve I for controlling fuel flow to the pilot burner 4, being interposed in the conduit 5.

The pilot burner 4 provides a normally burning pilot flame 4-a for igniting the main burner l upon establishment of the fuel flow thereto, as well as for energizing a thermoelectric generator 8. The current from the generator 8 serves to open and to maintain open, the pilot burner valve 1, as well as to operate the main valve 3 in accordance with the requirements of a conventional limit switch 9, which, for example, may be temperature responsive, or clock controlled, or both.

As long as the pilot flame 4-11 is in existence, the pilot burner valve 1 is maintained open, and the main valve 3 is caused to open and close in accordance with the requirements of the limit switch 9. Upon flame failure, the current flow from the generator 8 ceases, causing the valve I to close, stopping fuel flow to the pilot burner l vention is best defined by the appended claims. and causing the main valve 3, if open, to close,

3 or preventing its opening should the limit switch 9 thereafter call for heat. Thus, a complete shut-off is obtained, preventing escape of any unignited fuel.

To restore the system to operative condition, it is necessary to re-establish the pilot flame 4a. For this purpose, a by-pass valve I is incorporated in the valve structure 6, and is optionally operable to pass fuel to the pilot burner 4 independently of the valve I.

Soon after the pilot burner 4 is ignited, the thermoelectric generator 8 becomes active, causing the valve I to open so that it is no longer necessary to maintain the by-pass valve I0 open. Also, if the limit switch 9 is calling for heat at this time, the main valve 3 will be caused to open, and the main burner I will light.

To avoid possible injury to the operator by ignition of the main burner I, and to prevent unignited fuel from passing through burner I, a safety switch II is incorporated in the circuit controlling the main valve 3. This switch II is arranged to be closed when the valve I is open, but is prevented from closing when the by-pass valve I0 is open. Thus, the operator, by maintaining the valve I0 open, can ensure against ignition of the main burner I until desired.

The valve structure 6 is shown in detail in Figs. 2 to 5, and comprises a gas-tight housing I5 forming a chamber I6, and having oppositely directed bosses ll and I8 forming respectively the chamber inlet I9 and outlet 20. That ortion of conduit 5 leading from the conduit 2, and indicated by 5-a, is connected with the inlet I9,

the portion indicated by 5b, which leads to the pilot burner 4, being connected with the outlet 20.

The pilot burner valve I controls the outlet and will now be described. An interior boss 2| is formed in the housing I5 into which the outlet 20 extends to intersect a cross port 22 threadedly accommodating a nozzle 23, which opens into the chamber I6. Suitable packing 24 is provided to prevent leakage about the exterior of the nozzle 23. The outer end of the nozzle 23 forms a jet opening, and provides a seating surface 23a for the pivotally mounted closure member 25 of magnetic material. This member is guided by the slot I2 (Fig. 4) formed in a plate 26, so that the lower end of the member 25 is movable toward and away from the surface 23a to control the nozzle 23.

A light compression spring 21 biases the closure 25 to closed position, and additionally urges the closure against a horizontally extending knife-edge, or ridge 28 formed on the lower leg 29 of a V-shaped magnet core 30. This edge forms a pivot for the armature 25. The longitudinal edges of this armature may have notches I3 (Fig.- 4) to cooperate with the sides of slot I2 for preventing the armature from dropping down. The upper leg 3| of the core carries a winding 32, and has a pole piece 33 secured thereon providing an enlarged polar area for attracting the upper end of the closure 25.

The arrangement is such that, when the winding 32 is energized, the closure 25 moves to open the nozzle 23; when the winding is de-energized the spring 21 moves the closure 25 to close the nozzle 23. A valve of this type is disclosed in the previously mentioned Patent No. 2,294,693.

The by-pass l0 comprises a passage 35 in the boss 2I, extending inwardly from the chamber l6 to intersect the port 20, and having a. continuation 36 of reduced diameter opening into a counterbore 31 in the exterior of the body I5.

The inner end of the passage forms a seat for a valve member 38 carried by an operating member, or stem 39. This stem 39 extends outwardly through the bore continuation 36 and counterbore 31, and carries a push button 48 at its outer end. A compression spring 4|, confined between the push button 40 and suitable packing means 42 about the stem 39 at the bottom of the counterbore 31, serves to urge the valve member 38 to seat and close the passage 35.

Exertion of appropriate pressure on the button 40 will unseat the member 38 and open passage 35 to chamber l6. However, as will be pointed out presently, it is necessary to prevent fuel flow through the bypass passage 35 until the stem 39 has travelled a substantial distance toward the left. (Figs. 2 and 5.)

For this purpose, the stem 39 has an enlarged portion, or choker 39a. closely fitting the passage 35 so as substantially to prevent fuel flow therethrough even when member 38 is unseated. However, the choker 39a has a cut away portion 39b extending part way to its outer end. Thus, when the valve assembly 38-3940 has moved far enough to the left to cause the cut out 39b to extend beyond the end of the passage 35, fuel will pass freely into the passage, and thencethrough the outlet 20 to the pilot burner 4 independently of the nozzle 23.

The switch, or circuit controller II comprises a pair of contacts 45 and 46, supported for independent movement. Thus, the contact 45 is mounted on an extension of the closure member 25 formed by a strip 41 of insulating material suitably secured to the closure 25, as by rivets 48. The other contact 46 is carried by a depending member 50 pivotally mounted, as by riveting over pin 5I, on a mounting bracket 52. This bracket 52 is attached to the back wall I5a of the housing I5 by a pair of machine screws 53 (Figs. 2 and 3).

As clearly shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the bracket 52 has a forward, vertically disposed extension 52c which, by engaging the pole piece 33, supports the upper magnet leg 3|. This extension 52c. has a. horizontal portion 52b to which the lower magnet leg 29 is secured as by screws 54, the plate 26 being clamped between the leg 29 and the portion 52b. The extension 52-a also has a return portion 52c for forming an abutment for the left-hand end of the spring 21 (see also Fig. 4). The bracket 52 also has a stop 52--d formed thereon against which the member 50 is urged resiliently, as by a torsion spring 55 encircling the pin 5|.

As shown in Fig. 5, the lower portion of member 59 has, a U-shaped cross section, the contact 46 being adjustably mounted in one leg 50-a of the member 50, as by being formed on a screw 56 threaded through a bushing 51, carried by the leg 5IJ-a and suitably insulated therefrom. The other leg 5Ilb is spaced quite closely to the end face of a projection 39c of the operating member 39.

The arrangement is such that, when the member 50 is in its normal position against the stop 52- d, and the by-pass valve In closed, as shown in the drawings, movement of the closure 25 to its attracted position, opening the nozzle 23, will bring contact 45 into engagement with the contact 46. However, if the by-pass valve I 0 is open, that is, with the operating member 39 sufliciently far to the left to admit fuel past the choker 39a, the projection 390, by engagement with leg 88-h, will swing member 58 about its pivot II to a position-where contact 48 can not be engaged by contact 48. As soon as member 39 is released, spring 4| will return it to by-pass closing position and allow member 50 to return to its normal position, permitting engagement of the contacts 45 and 48.

The contacts 45 and 48 are each connected by suitable leads respectively with binding posts, one of which is shown at 89, provided in the wall of housing l5. Referring again to Fig. 1, the winding 32 is directly connected by leads 88 and 8 I, across the thermoelectric generator 8 so that, whenever the generator is activated by the pilot flame 4-a, the closure 25 will be moved into and maintained in its attracted position, opening the nozzle 23 and placing contact 45 in position to engage contact 48.

The winding of the main valve 3 is in parallel with winding 32. Thus, a lead 82 extends-from one side of the thermoelectric generator '8 to the limit switch 9 and thence to one contact, as 46, of the switch A lead 64 connects the other contact 45 with one terminal of the winding of valve 3, the other terminal being connected by lead 65 with the other side of the generator 8.

With the pilot flame 4-a in existence, the thermoelectric generator provides current energizing the winding 32 which retains the closure 25 in attracted position, with the nozzle 23 open and contacts 45 and 46 closed. This current thus serves additionally to operate the main valve 8 in accordance with the requirements of the switch 9. When the pilot flame 4-a. is extinguished, the current ceases, de-energizing the winding 32, which releases the closure 25 for movement to close the nozzle 23 and open contacts 45, 46. This latter is of no effect at this time, since cessation of the current would, in any case, cause the main valve 3 to close.

To restore the system to operation, the by-pass valve In is opened to pass fuel to the pilot burner 4. Soon after establishment of the pilot flame 4-a, the thermoelectric generator 8 becomes active and energizes the winding 32, causing closure 25 to move to attracted position and open the nozzle 23. However, contacts 4'5 and 46 can not close at this time, since the contact 46 is maintained out of closing position by the by-passvalve operating member 39. Thus, opening of the main valve 3 is prevented. Upon closure of the pilot valve l0, contact 46 is released to close against contact 45, restoring control of the valve 3 to the limit switch 9.

In Figs. 6 to 9, a modified form of pilot burner valve is disclosed, including a switch for controlling the main valve. However, in this valve only the switch contact carried by the closure is movable, means being provided to prevent movement of the closure to close the contact when the by-pass is open.

Referring to Figs. 6 and 7, the modified valve comprises a housing 18 forming a gas-tight chamber 1| having an inlet 12 and an outlet I3. An interior boss I4 serves to mount a nozzle 15 connected with the outlet 13, and controlled by a closure 18 supported and arranged for operation by a winding 11, all as before. The closure 18 has an insulating extension 18 with a rear projection 19 (Fig. '7), and carrying a contact 88 near its lower end. A cooperating contact BI is mounted by a screw 82 which is adjustably supported by, and insulated from, a right angle extension 83 formed on the bracket 84 which supports the closure 16 and the winding 11.

A cylindrical cavity 88 (Fig. 8) is formed in the boss 14, below and to one side of the nozzle 15, being closed at its outer end by a threaded plug 81 and communicating with the chamber ll through a reduced passage 88. The inner end of the passage 88 provides a seat for a bail closure 89, which is resiliently maintained seated by a compression spring 98 confined by the plug 81. A port 9| (Fig. 9) serves to maintain the cavity 86 in continuous communication with the outlet 13. Thus, when-the ball closure 89 is unseated, fuel passes from chamber II to the outlet 13 independently of the nomle 15, forming a by-pass when the nozzle 15 is closed.

An operating member 92 is provided for un-- seating the ball 89. As shown in Fig. 8, this member 92 is guided for movement axially of the passage88 by a bore 93 in the housing 18, the "ma end oi. the member 92 being adapted to enter the passage 88 and engage the ball 89. inebore 83 has an enlarged outer portion 93-a for accommodating a push button 94 secured on the outer end of the member '92, a spring 95 urging the member 92 outwardly (to the left), This movement is limited by the engagement of a collar 92-11 with the inside of the housing.

A resilient finger 96 is provided on the member 92 for engaging the projection 19 on the closure 16. This may be formed conveniently by one branch of a hair pin spring 91, the other branch 88 being short and serving to secure the spring 91 on the member 92. The member 92 has a slot 92-h for accommodating finger 96.

To prevent angular movement of the member 92 about its axis and thus ensure that the finger 96 is maintained in position to cooperate with the projection 18, the member 92 has a short, axially extending groove 92-c engaging a pin 99 which extends into the bore 93.

In operation, the closure l6 is operated by energization of the winding 11 to open nozzle 15 and close contacts 88 and 8| and, upon deenergization, to close nozzle 15 and open contacts 88 and 8|. When it is desired to establish the pilot flame after flame failure, or to initiate operation of the system, the push button 94 is depressed, unseating the ball 89 and by-passing fuel to the pilot burner. At the same time spring finger 96, by engagement with the projection 19, maintains closure 18 in nozzle-closing contact opening position, preventing operation of the main valve 3 upon the energization of the thermoelectric generator 8 in response to establishment of the pilot flame. Although spring finger 86 is quite light, it can exert a suillcient force to move armature I6 away from the pole piece of the thermoelectrically operated magnet, because the magnetic force is quite weak.

Upon releaseof the push button 94, ball 89 seats, closing the by-pass, and closure 18 is allowed to move to its attracted position, opening the nozzle 15 and closing contacts 88, 8|. In this connection it is to be noted that the clearance between operating member 92 and ball 89.

the clearance between finger 96 and projection 19 of the closure 16, and the clearance between the contacts 88 and 8| are so related that. upon release of the member 92, the nozzle 15 is opened before the ball 89 seats, and the contacts 88 and 8 I close thereafter.

The inventor claims:

1. In a system of the character described: a valve structure for controlling fluid flow and having a movable closure member; an electromagnet operable .to move the member to open position;

'means including a valve for around said structure; an electric circuit conby-passing fluid troller operated by the movement of the closure member between open and closed positions;

means for opening the by-passing valve; and means for opening said circuit controller in response to movement of said by-passing valve to open position. b

2. In a pilot flame controlled system: an elec; trically operated main valve; an armature structure; an electromagnet cooperating with said structure; a source of electrical energy efiective only while the pilot flame is in existence for energizing said electromagnet; a pilot valve controlled by the armature so that the pilot valve is closed while the electromagnet is de-energized; a by-pass valve for the pilot valve; a circuit controller for the electrically operated main valve operated by the armature; and manually operable means for opening-the by-pass valve and for rendering the circuit controller inefiective.

3. In a pilot flame controlled system: an electrically operated main valve; an armature structure; an electromagnet cooperating with said structure; means providing electrical energy in response to the existence of a pilot flame or energizing said electromagnet and the electrically operated main valve; a pilot valve controlled by the armature so that the pilot valve is closed while the electromagnet is de-energized; a, bypass valve' for the pilot valve; a circuit controller for the electrically operated main valve operated by the armature; and manually operable means for opening the by-pass valve and for rendering the circuit controller ineffective.

4. In a system of the character described: a valve structure having a movable closure member; an electromagriet operable to move the member to open position; a by-pass valve for bypassing fiuid around said structure; an electric circuit controller operated by the movement of the closure member to open position; means for opening the by-pass valve; and means for rendering the circuit controller ineffective before the by-pass valve is opened, comprising a pivotally mounted contact member, said contact member having a part adapted to be engaged'by the means for opening the by-pass valve.

5. In a valve control system comprising an electrically operated valve and means forming a control circuit therefor: a second electrically operated valve including a closure; switch means in said control circuit adapted to be operated in response to movement of said closure to open position; and by-pass means for passing fluid around said second valve, including an operat-' ing member; said member when operated serving first to prevent operation of said switch means, and then to open the by-pass means,

6. In a valve control system comprising an electrically operated valve and means forming a control circuit therefor: a second electrically operated valve including 'a closure; switch means in said control circuit; said switch means including a pair of movable contacts; means for moving one of said contacts to close against the other contact in response to movement of said closure to open position; and by-pass means for passing fluid around said second valve, including an operating member, said member when operated serving first to move the other of said 1 contacts to clear said one contact and then to open the by-pass means.

7. In a valve control system comprising an eiectrically operated valve and means forming operated valve including a closure; switch means in said control circuit; said switch means including a pair of relatively movable contacts; means for closing said contacts in response to movement of said closure to open position; by-pass means for passing fuel around said second valve, including an operating member; and means responsive to movement of said member for first preventing closing movement of said contacts, and then opening of said by-p s means.

8. In a fuel flow control system including, a main burner, a pilot burner for providing a pilot flame to ignite the'main burner; a main valve for controlling fuel flow to the main burner, and circuit forming means including means responsive to the existence of a pilot flame, as well as switch means, for operating'said main valve to open position: a pilot burner valve for controlling fuel flow to the pilot burner; means responsive to the existence of a pilot flame for operating said pilot burner valve to open position and closing said switch means; and by-pass means for passing fuel around said pilot burner valve, including an operating member, said member when operated serving first to prevent closing of said switch means and then to open the by-pass means.

9. In a valve structure: means forming a valve body having a through passage; a closure for controlling said passage; a circuit controller adapted to be operated by said closure; and means for optionally by-passing said closure, including an operating member; said member r when operated serving first to prevent operation of said controller and then to open the by-pass means.

10. In a valve structure: means forming a valve body having a through passage; a closure for controlling said passage; a circuit controller adapted to be operated by said closure; means for optionallyby-passing said closure, including an operating member; and means carried by said member adapted to engage said closure when said member is operated, said means being so located on said member that said member when operated serves first to prevent opening movement of said closure and then opens the by-pass\ means.'

11. In a valve structure: means forming a valve body having a through passage; a closure operable between open and closed positions for controlling said passage; means for operating said closure; switch means comprising a pair of contacts, one of said contacts being carried by said closure and adapted to engage the other contact upon movement of the closure to open position; a manually operated lay-pass valve structure for establishing communication between said chamber and said outlet when said closure is in closed position, and including an operating member; and means operable upon movement of said member in a by-pass opening direction to prevent movement of said closure to close said contacts before opening the by-pass valve structure.

13. In a valve structure: means forming a valve body having a through passage; a closure operable between open and closed positions for controlling said passage; means for operating said closure; switch means comprising a pair of contacts, one of said contacts being carried by said closure and adapted to engage the other contact upon movement of the closure to open position; a manually operated by-pass valve structure for establishing communication between said chamber and said outlet when said closure is in closed position, and including an operating member; and means carried by said member engageable with said closure upon movement of said member in a by-pass opening direction to prevent movement of said closure to close said contacts before opening the by-pass v lvestructure.

14. In a valve structure: means forming a valve body having a passage therein establishing communication between a chamber in said body and an outlet; a closure operable between open, and closed positions for controlling said passage;-

means for operating said closure; switch means comprising a pair of contacts adapted to close upon movement of said closure to open position, one of said contacts being carried by said closure.

-means movably mounting the, other contact for movement into and out of closing position; means resiliently maintaining said other contact inclosing position; a manually operated by-pass valve structure for establishing communication between said chamber and said outlet when said closure is in closed position, and

including an operating member adapted to eifec't movement of said other contact out of closing position before opening the by-pass valve 15. In a system of the character described: a

valve structure for controlling fiuidflow and having a movable closure member; an electromagnet operable to move the member to open position; means including a valve for by-passing fluid around said structure; an electric circuit 'ing said circuit controller to open position independently of the position of said closure member.

17. In a system of the character described: a

valve structure for controlling fluid flow and having a movable closure member; an electromagnetoperabie tomove the member to open position; means including a valve for by-passing fluid around said structure; an electric circuit controller operated by the movement of the closure member between open and closed positions; means for opening said by-passing valve; and means for rendering said circuit controller ineifective prior to movement of said ivy-passing valve to open position.

, 4 WILLIAM A. RAY.

'amnsncss man The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNI'I'EDBIATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,253,070 Wm Aug. 26,1941 7 2,4q6346' Ogden Aug. 20.1946 

